Looking to pick up a revolver to have some fun shooting. Something to add to my collection. Should I pick up a model 10-8 from buds for 319....or a model 15 from J&G for 419. I like military surplus and police trade-ins. Don't have any revolvers right now so this is my first.

Personally, for target shooting and general plinking I would prefer the 15's adjustable sites.

Yes, I would recommend picking up 10 or 15 Smith & Wesson revolvers........

Seiously, IMO a Model 15 is about the best/highest quality .38 there is, and you would not regret getting one (traded one I had off a year or so ago and regret it every day!).

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Even older, even crankier....

I prefer fixed sights so I would go with the M10-8 and save some money to boot.

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You're shy a few manners.

Welcome to the forum.
If the model 15 is in good condition, $419 is a pretty fair price. I agree with those that say everyone should have a model 10, but the model 15 is a gun you will always admire and cherish, and one you will regret selling if you ever do.
If I were you, I'd buy both.
George

The adjustible sight weapon will facilitate the use of different weight bullets. It eliminates any potential problem with regulating fixed sights to your particular mode of shooting. It allows you to use either a six-o-clock target zero, or a center of mass zero.

If you don't care about any of that stuff, the fixed sight revolver is a viable option.

One of each. Problem solved

That's best but if I could only have one it would be a 15.

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John 3:16 .

There ya go! Couldn't have said it better myself. Definitely go with the Model 15!

Go with the one in higher condition,
both being equal I like the Model 15's target sites and raised barrel rib ... Plus ..."Combat Masterpiece" just sound cooler than M&P.

model 15 all day long.

I would rather have one mod 15, than TWO mod 10s. I despise fixed sights on anything bigger than a snub Chief's Special.

Never adjusted the sights on ANY revolver, and I've owned 19's, 66's, and now a 67-1 (stainless version of the Model 15) I gotta admit I like the bull barrel on the fixed sighted K frames better than the tapered one.

But I just got a Bud's 10-8 just last week. Fit the description. 70-80% blueing remaining. No rust or pitting and gun is smooth. But the finish wear is bugging me, and I predict sending it to S&W for a refinish within 6 months. I know the wear adds character, but I just like nice looking guns.

So my 67-1 is still my favorite. Looks almost new and just so pretty. At 15 yards, a saucer sized target is shredded. Good enough for me.

So for me, I would get the 15 if you can see a pic and if it's in better shape than a Bud's 10.

For fun shooting either will do, but the Model 15 will do better.

IMO you can look as long and hard as you wish, all over the entire world, and you will not find a revolver in any caliber that features a finer balance in the hand than a 38 caliber 4 inch S&W K frame with a Tapered Barrel. Since the Tapered Barrel is exclusive to the model model 15's and model 67's manufactured prior to the 21st century I would recommend the model 15.

Yeah, there were a nearly uncountable number of the Model 10 and M&P Police made with 4 inch Tapered Barrels prior to the appearance of the Heavy Barrel model 10 it's still likely that any recent model 10 will feature that Heavy Barrel. And, I will admit that the balance of the model 10 with that Heavy Barrel isn't awful, however it won't have that completely PERFECT balance of model 15 and everyone should experience complete perfection at least once in their life.

Obviously my vote is for the model 15.

The Model 15 is my favorite 38 special, the Model 10 4" (my CCW for a year) and Model 14 just sit on the bench in the safe.
I bought that J&G Model 15 after my divorce 8 years ago.

OP: no answer will really help, because each represents the personal preference of the individual answering. Only your personal preference will serve you best.

Handle and, if possible, shoot both. Assess mechanical condition. Look each over closer.

One'll talk more to you. Get that one.

The Model 15 will always have a premium value over a Model 10, given both are in similar condition. They are identical, except for the sights. Some feel that fixed sights are advantageous as there is nothing to get out of adjustment. However, if different ammunition loads are to be used, adjustable sights are valuable. For typical personal protection or home defense use, fixed sights are entirely adequate.

They weren't kidding.

A duty version of the Model 14 .38 Masterpiece, with a 4" heavy barrel.
Very smooth and a great shooter, with the adjustable sights.

There is not a thing wrong with the Model 10, either, if you can do without the adjustable sights. 10-8 would have the heavy barrel, too, IIRC...

Bust your credit card-get both.


I have one of each, along with several other S&W revolvers. I would start with the Mod 15 - they seem harder to find.

Enjoy whatever you decide.

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Liberals made the USA

OK looks like 15 wins. For $80 more at 499.99 should I go for the Stainless steel 15 with rubber grips or stick with 15 blued with wood grips at 419.99?

There's no stainless steel Model 15; only blue and nickel. The 15's stainless twin is the Model 67.

Dogngun is right. Buy them both. I have a S&W 10-6, 15-6 and as of late, a 67-1. I like them all! The Model 10-6 4-inch is a tack driver that needs its barrel refinished, due to some substance getting spilled on it and removing the bluing. The Model 15-6 (1993) has the Model 14 Heavy Barrel and is decently accurate, but not to the same level as the Model 10-6. The Model 67-1 is at AmeriGun in Michigan getting a new Trijicon front sight, 11-degree muzzle chamfer and a nice bead blast.

All of them are exceedingly wonderful guns that will give a lifetime of service and are my go-to house guns. Loaded with the 125gr Remington Golden Saber +P (approaching 1000 fps), they are plenty good felon repellent.

If given the choice, I would take the Model 15 over the Model 10 HB. A pencil barrel Model 10 is another story. They're all cool guns!

Get a model 19. This way you can shoot .38s and .357s.

If not, I kind of like the look of the 15 over the 10, but the 10 is a great gun too.

Get the 10, make sure you like it, and then 4-5 more Smith and Wesson revolvers will be in your future, TRUST ME on that.

I agree! open sites on 2" J frames...

The M15 "Combat Masterpiece" is my favorite Smith Revolver and in fact I have several of them. I shoot it better than any other Smith I own including my 6" M19 and 6" M586. Nothing wrong with a M10 (pretty much same gun), you just have no sight adjustment. Your choice.........

I have both. A 10-6 and a 15-3. They are both nice shooting guns. I like iron sights for carry. Can't knock to sights out of line. If you plan to carry one, I'd pick the model 10. For target shooting, the 15 would be better, but my old model 10 shoots fine.

Has anyone picked up one of the M15's from J&G? It's very tempting!


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

Just picked up my 15-3 from J&G this weekend. Works great! Wondering what year it is from serial # is 5k955XX

My guess is 1974?

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USAF AMMO

I carried both during my 30 year LEO days and had a preference for the 15 b/c of the adjustable sights. You really can't go wrong w/either one.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

years ago i owned a Ruger Single six,it was my only handgun and i couldn't shoot it as accurately as i'd like so i looked around and found a handgun course sponsored by local PD. All shooting was done at 25 yds. The first week i asked one of the instructors to help me adjust the sights. He looked downrange at my target and said"you don't need to adjust your sights. I was a little miffed, my rounds were all over the target,but kept going. The class was once a week for a total of nine weeks. About week seven the same guy came around, looked at my target and all my rounds were a little high and left, but they were all gathered in a group the size of my fist. He says "now it's time to adjust your sights,do you understand why we didn't do it on week one?" Fact is most of us don't shoot hanfguns accurately and consistent enough for adjustable sights to make a difference in our shooting. Having said that i would also go with a Model 15, but there's nothing wrong with the Model 10 and it's fixed sights. Practice,practice,practice.......Mike

The S&W Model 10 & 15 are both good guns and they both have good qualities but i

really love the Model 10 so i chose that one

Make sure you do some single-action shooting from a rest and fiddle with the adjustable sights as necessary. In contrast to a previous post, I respectfully submit it does make a difference, all else being equal.
It's amazing what accuracy you can get out of the adjustable K-frames.
If I'd commented in the initial thread, I'd have favored the Model 10; I have a thing for the clean lines of the fixed-models, and think they're preferable for defensive use.
But since you have the Model 15, you should get the most out of it, especially if you shoot it enough. Back with my first S&W, I was amazed how much accuracy I could get even out of my 2.5 inch Model 19 by properly adjusting the sights. Even though that wasn't its main purpose, it was amazing at what distances you could still score reliably, especially single-action.

This thread needs some pictures




Oh and if the Model 19 is now in the equation my vote changes to Model 19.

Mr. Hanen, whoever he was, had the ideal compromise for the time frame. As shown in Post 34, the "Dayton guns" were, described in a generic way, simply adjustable sight versions of the heavy barrel Model 10. The Dayton gun is easily recognizable from the business end, which shows that massive barrel profile. For those who "came in late," middle picture, second from left. Outstanding!

How does it look? Any pics? I am debating between a 10 & a 15 myself.

The choice should be based on your intended use of the gun assuming equal condition of each. If you will use the revolver for casual target shooting, plinking, and personal/home protection, the Model 10 is the ideal choice. Use the money saved to purchase ammo for your practice. However, if you are into more serious target shooting and wish to squeeze out the most accuracy or you like to experiment with different ammo loads, the Model 15 is the gun for you. Most people will be well served with the Model 10.

I have a 67 no dash, which is a stainless 15. Great gun. Another option you may want to investigate is a Model 64. There are reasonably priced police turn ins on them too. I like mine! Bob

Go with the 15 you will love it!